Researchers at Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have developed a moisture-absorbing polymer composite, or hydrogel, that could enhance heat dissipation in solar panels and increase power generation efficiency up to 13%. The hydrogel addresses a key challenge for solar. Solar cell panels, utilized in this conversion process, have exhibited significant advancements in efficiency over the years, primarily attributed to material design. Despite these improvements, the accumulation of dust on the solar panel surfaces compromises a significant portion of the power. Researchers have developed a PFAS-free dual-layer sol-gel and hydrophobic silica coating that repels water, dust, and dirt while maintaining high light transmission for solar panels. The transparent, self-cleaning coating improved photovoltaic efficiency from 13.